Silver Asp
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
The idea for this character came after playing around with the costume options for the Arachnos Widow, after which the concept seemed to write itself. Inspiration for the "nanite suit" and the attributes thereof may include the T1000 from the Terminator franchise and the Borg from Star Trek. Also, props to Drakenvalt for helping me come up with the name.
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| Silver Asp | |
| Player: @Drimble Wedge | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Arachnos Widow |
| Threat Level: | 19 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Darryl Caan |
| Known Aliases: | The Tanzanian Devil |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | 7’2” |
| Weight: | 320 lb |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | White |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | Mercenary/Assassin |
| Place of Birth: | Confidential |
| Base of Operations: | Confidential |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Confidential |
| Known Powers | |
| Possibly psychic and/or technopathic | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Confidential | |
| Equipment | |
| Wears a liquid nanotech mesh capable of producing various weapons and effects | |
| Known reputation as a ruthless mercenary before acquiring his suit and absconding to the Rogue Isles | |
Contents |
Personal History
Little is known about Darryl Caan before he became the Silver Asp.
The Dark Continent
For years he worked as a mercenary among the militant factions of a West African warlord, raiding villages and carrying out brutal campaigns against the poor people living there. Those that met him guessed that he was an American, as he spoke fluent English, was proficient with modern equipment, and did not seem to bear any ties to any of the local nationalities. His cruel efficiency during one such operation in the small country of Tanzania earned him the dubious nickname of the "Tanzanian Devil" among the other Americans stationed in his squadron. However, his behavior among his men apparently did inspire much loyalty, as one night, either under orders or on their own volition, they attacked and beat him unconscious, which would be the last thing he remembered for some time.
When next he awoke, Caan found himself the unwilling test subject of human experimentation for the production of metahuman abilities. Though the accommodations of the secret research facility were clean and comfortable compared to his previous life, the work that went on, such as invasive muscle restructuring and enhanced dermal grafting, were just shy of torture.
The Experiment
One day, Caan was told he would be part of a new experiment. Hearing his captors refer to something called the "Shirai Project" he was cleaned and led to a transparent cylindrical chamber, where he was then attached to a frame and enclosed, unable to escape. As scientists and technicians gathered around him, he watched in horror as the chamber began to be filled by a thick gray sludge, soon pooling at his feet and rising. Upon contact with his skin he could feel the substance writhing, as if a million mites were boring into his skin, eating him alive. While he frantically looked about the room around him he could see a man mouth the words that looked like "gray goo", as well as read a monitor that had the words "nanotech immersion" displayed. Soon the entire tank was full of the stuff, which seemed to cling and bite at his flesh, until he once again blacked out.
Once again his memories became a blur during the aftermath of the process, while the nanites with which he was covered in bonded with his flesh and carried out their function of rebuilding his body according to their program. His mind was also affected, until it became natural for him to control the nanites. He learned, as they subtly taught him, to carry out their function to turn him into a living weapon. Soon he was ready, in full control of the liquid silver mesh that clothed him like a second skin, to make his escape.
The Escape
It was easy now. Despite security's best efforts, he escaped his imprisonment and slew his captors. Unprepared for the favorable results of their attempt to create a super soldier, a group of researchers found themselves trapped, held hostage by their guinea pig, who forced them to tell him all of what they knew about the project, the facility, and all other pertinent information. Afterward he escaped, learning to his surprise that the secret laboratory was quite near to the vicinity where his own men captured him. This also made things easy, as his next task upon leaving the testing grounds was to track down his old squadron and kill the remaining soldiers, exacting his revenge.
The life of a common mercenary no longer seemed fitting to the powers he possessed, as he desired more powerful opponents to challenge his new skills. Deciding to take his business to the next level, he relocated himself to the Rogue Isles, where jobs dealing with other super powered foes would be more commonplace. It was also fitting, he knew, as the scientists told him that the inspiration for "Project Shirai" had come from a powerful woman who was now making her residence there, a member of the Arachnos regime, named Silver Mantis. He also knew that his abilities were an upgrade, a far superior model to her body, which was a clumsy prototype in comparison. With this in mind, he decided to take on a name that would demonstrate both his connection to his predecessor, and also the greater power at his disposal. He was now the Silver Asp.
Physical Attributes
Though human, Darryl Caan's abilities have been greatly enhanced by microscopic machines.
Powers
The Silver Asp's body is completely covered in a layer of nanites that carry out a variety of functions to make him the perfect weapon. They provide shielding as well as work on any injury sustained by the Asp to vastly improve his healing time. They work to enhance his reaction times and strength, but mostly it is their ability to change shape and produce new objects that helps him the most.
The nanites are programmed to create metal spikes as well as sleek sabers to injure his opponents. Needle-like spines can also be produced and shot out of his hands. In addition to this, every offensive cut or puncture made by his suit is accompanied by a transfer of attacking nanites that continue to eat and destroy the target, doing additional damage even after the initial wound is made. This nanite payload is also included in his long-range attacks.
Further powers and ways to use these nanites in combat are being developed all the time, as the program that dictates their actions includes the ability to adapt and grow to new situations with creative results.
Abilities
Darryl Caan's life as a mercenary affords him the skill and experience to deal with stressful situations as well as a mind for tactics. His desire for wealth, power, and to show that he can outclass the most powerful of even metahuman opponents, makes him increasingly dangerous thanks to the unpredictable potential of the nanotech mesh bonded with his body.
Paraphernalia
Despite appearances to the contrary, Silver Asp is permanently bonded with the nanite covering, even though he can control it and bare certain parts of his body as needed. For this reason he finds it much easier, practical, and safe to camouflage the suit into seemingly different ensembles. With the nanites ability to manipulate matter at the molecular level, it is now simple for him to produce the effect of wearing almost any outfit he desires, even perfectly simulating texture, while remaining safe in the protection it provides. Thus, even while apparently wearing casual clothes or his professional business suit, the Silver Asp is ready at all times to call upon his clothing's true power.
He also tends to wear a pair of black-framed sunglasses, which may or may not be a product of the nanites.
Limitations
Many of the weaknesses of a regular human being have been eliminated from the Silver Asp's makeup thanks to the nanites. He can sustain much harsher climates, changes in temperature, and can go without food or water for an indefinite period of time so long as sufficient matter is available for the nanites to use to create life-sustaining nutrients. However, the nanites will not function without the host, according to their program, and so it is necessary to keep Caan alive and protect his vital organs, which can still be damaged or destroyed. It is not known to what extent the nanites could repair him if he sustained life-threatening injuries to certain of his systems.
Restricting of his nervous system has provided minimal defense against psychic intrusions, but the efforts of a skilled telepath should be able to read or manipulate his mind. However, it also possible the nanites may become aware of this effect, and find new ways to block what they may perceive as an attack. The nanites themselves do not have a mind or a group consciousness, as they are simply machines following their program, and so have no thoughts to read.
Group Affiliations
Currently the Silver Asp is working freelance. He has no affiliation or preference to either "hero" or "villain", and is willing to work for almost any agency capable of meeting his price for a task. He works out of the Rogue Isles because it is convenient, and is without allegiance to Arachnos or any other group at this time.
Miscellaneous
- In order to secure the services of the Silver Asp, one need only contact him and present the details of the job, at which point he will decide whether the pay and challenge is sufficient for his skills.
- Silver Asp considers no challenge too great, and relishes the opportunity to prove himself against notable metahumans, be they from Paragon City, the Rogue Isles, or elsewhere.
- The nanites at work within him are able to construct and operate temporary machines and weapons with a wide variety of effects. They are also capable of one day altering Caan's physiology so much that he might qualify as a mutant.
